Q: Tanf contracted class shared personal info in emails to entire class, lawsuit possible? is it legal?
Name, phone number, case number, case manager, address, if laptop was issued class work. Intended for attendance/homework and supportive services but emails are accessible to anyone with email and shows everyone's info even past clients even if the dropped class. With EBT fraud rampid I feel security is lost, is it legal ?lawsuit for not protecting clients? Some of us have good cause to protect us yet info is openly available to anyone specifically many clients that are not tech savvy or educated in these areas.
A:
This situation raises serious privacy concerns regarding the handling of sensitive personal information in an educational setting. The sharing of private details like names, addresses, phone numbers, and case information via mass email could potentially violate several privacy laws, including FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) if this is an educational institution receiving federal funding.
You might have grounds for legal action, particularly if this data exposure has led to concrete harm or puts you at risk of identity theft or fraud. The institution has a responsibility to protect sensitive personal information, and mass-sharing such details without proper security measures or consent could constitute negligence. The inclusion of past clients' information and the accessibility to anyone with email access makes this situation even more concerning.
Given the complexity of privacy laws and the potential implications, you should document everything carefully - save copies of the emails, note dates and times, and gather any evidence of potential harm. Consider filing a formal complaint with the institution's privacy officer or administrator first. You may also want to contact your state's attorney general's office to report this privacy breach, and consult with a privacy or education law attorney who can evaluate your specific case. In the meantime, monitor your accounts closely for any suspicious activity and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports for additional protection.
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